CORUS CLOSURE DEVASTATING BLOW FOR REGION

12.00.00am GMT Fri 4th Dec 2009

Liberal Democrats Carol Woods and Fiona Hall MEP have expressed their anger at the news that the Corus steel plant is to close with the loss of 1700 jobs.

North East MEP Fiona Hall said:

"This is a major blow for Teesside which will have a huge knock-on effect on the region's economy. The Government must act quickly to make funds available to help Corus workers find new jobs and re-train if necessary.

"It is now even more important that the Government keeps its promise to invest in big infrastructure projects in the North East to help transform the region into a low carbon economy. This will not only generate jobs but also increase the demand for steel."

Lib Dem spokesperson for Durham, Carol Woods, said:

"It is outrageous that the Government has spent billions of pounds bailing out bankers but has failed to help Corus and the North East manufacturing industries. While bankers are still set to scoop up ridiculous bonuses, hard working families in the North East are facing an uncertain future.

"How come the Welsh Government is putting millions into the Corus plant in Wales while the English Government stands aside and allows the Redcar plant to be mothballed? Once again, Labour has failed the North East. The Government needs to act quickly now to provide support for those made redundant."